Part 13

1618—A blood-coloured Comet observed just before the execution of Sir Walter Raleigh in England. A bloody rising of the Protestants in Bohemia, followed by the outbreak of the terrible Thirty Years’ War in Germany and the Netherlands. This was the Comet which gave rise to the German school rhyme:

“Eight things a Comet always brings, Wind, Famine, Plague and Death to Kings, War, Earthquake, Floods and Dire Things.”

Louis XIV.’s Star.

1661—Inspired by the appearance of a Comet, a horde of fanatics under Venner, a cooper, preached the coming of the “Fifth Monarchy” in England, and proclaimed Jesus Christ as their only King. The fanatics were routed and put to death. Death of Mazarin, the “Master of France.” Rise of Louis XIV., the most powerful ruler of France. French war against the Pope.

1680—This Comet was studied by Halley, in Paris, and by Newton, in England. It was called “Heaven’s Chariot.” Plague in Europe. The French overrun Alsace and carried war into Germany. War between Venice and the Turks.

1682—Halley’s Comet. War in Italy. War in Hungary against the Turks.

1689—A remarkable Comet observed all over Europe, followed by war all over Europe. Wars between France, Germany, England, Spain and Italy. The Rhine lands were harried by the French with fire and sword, rendering 4,000,000 people homeless. Burning of the castle of Heidelberg by the French. Religious war in Ireland and Scotland. Siege of Londonderry and Dundee. Battle of Newton Butler in Ireland.

1729—War between France, England and Spain.

Frederick the Great’s Star.

1744—A six-tailed Comet observed in Germany just before the death of Emperor Charles VII. His death followed by war between Frederick the Great and Maria Teresa of Austria. War spreads to England, Holland, France, Spain and Italy. A British fleet beaten by French and Spaniards off Toulon.

1755—A Comet precedes earthquake of Lisbon, by which 40,000 people lost their lives.

1759—Halley’s Comet. Seven Years’ War in Germany. Frederick the Great overthrown in four bloody battles. French lose Canada by their disastrous defeat of the plains of Abraham, and lose India by the loss of their fleet through three successive defeats on the sea.

Napoleon’s Star.

1769—“Napoleon’s Comet.” A Comet of unusual red lustre was observed over Italy and France. French overrun Corsica. Bloody massacre of Corsicans. Birth of Napoleon on August 15 in Corsica, just after the Comet was seen no more.

1811-12—This huge Comet was one of the most famous Comets of modern times. It was first seen in France on March 26, 1811, and was last observed over southern Russia on August 17, 1812—an appearance of seventeen months, the longest on record. For a while it had two tails, then only one. The length of this tail was estimated as 100,000,000 miles. It was called “Napoleon’s Comet.” Under its lustre Napoleon gathered his “grand armée,” the greatest army assembled in Europe since Xerxes, and invaded Russia. Wars were fought at the same time in Portugal and Spain, where the British stormed Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos; and in America, where Harrison’s victory over the Indians under Tecumseh at Tippecanoe, and the seafight between the “President” and “Little Belt” ushered in the War of 1812. In Egypt the Comet was taken as an omen of the bloody massacre of the Mamelukes perpetrated at Cairo.

1821—“Napoleon’s Comet.” Seen one night only over France and over St. Helena the night before the death of Napoleon at St. Helena.

1823—A Comet much mentioned by Spanish writers. While it shone over Spain, South America and the Mediterranean, the French overran Spain and reinstated the Spanish king. Revival of the Spanish Inquisition and bloody persecutions of the revolutionists. War of Independence in Central and South America. Bloody war of Greek Independence.

1835-6—Halley’s Comet. New York City all but destroyed by fire. Zulu massacre of Boers at Weenen. Mexican massacre of Americans at the Alamo. Wars throughout South America.

1843—Another famous Comet seen all over the world during the Spring of that year. Especially brilliant in the Southern Hemisphere and in India. War in India on the part of the British against Afghanistan, Beluchistan, Scinde and against the Sikhs.

1848—Encke’s famous periodic Comet. Bloody revolutionary risings and civil wars in France, Hungary, Bohemia, Austria, Germany, Italy and Poland.

1858-9—Donati’s Comet. This Comet, which appeared to be charging straight down from the zenith, and had a curved tail, was observed from June 1858 to April 1859. It was seen at its brightest in the South, in Italy, Mexico and in the Far East. While it shone over the Far East there were bloody wars between the British and the risen people of India; between the British and the Chinese, who objected to having opium thrust upon them; while Japan was in the throes of revolution and civil war. In Mexico the standard of revolt against the clericals was raised by Juarez, thus plunging Mexico into civil war and war with France. Immediately after the disappearance of the Comet war broke out in Italy between the French and Italians on one side and the Austrians on the other, ending in the bloody Battle of Solferino.

Civil War Comets.

1861—“First Civil War Comet.” The brightest Comet of the nineteenth century. Sir John Herschel, the great English astronomer, said of this Comet: “It far exceeded in brightness any Comet I have before observed, those of 1811 and the recent splendid one of 1858 not excepted.” The Comet was first seen by a layman, and appeared at its brightest during the Summer months in North America. Its coming was heralded as a token of the great Civil War which broke out then in America.

1862—“Second Civil War Comet.” Another Comet of very peculiar appearance, with jets of flame flaring from its head, showed itself during the Summer months in North America. The Civil War was then at its height. The coming of the Comet was taken to herald the bloody battles of Shiloh, Williamsburg, Seven Days, Seven Pines, Cedar Mountain and Antietam, all fought that year after the Comet’s appearance.

1874—Coggia’s Comet. This Comet was seen at its brightest over Southern France and Spain during the Summer months of that year. Spain was then in the throes of the bloody Carlist War.

Garfield’s Comet.

1881—Garfield’s Comet. This Comet showed itself for a few nights only in March during the week following President Garfield’s inauguration. It was observed also in Russia. On March 13, Emperor Alexander II. of Russia, was assassinated with a bomb. Three months later President Garfield was assassinated in Washington.

War Comets.